15 questions with... Laurel McKelvey, a Penn softball junior

The Daily Pennsylvanian asked Laurel McKelvey of Penn softball 15 questions about her time with the team, her experience at Penn, and her life overall. Here's what the junior had to say.  

1. Introduce yourself.

I am Laurel McKelvey from Houston. Go Astros! I am a junior in the Wharton School concentrating in real estate and finance.

2. What has been your favorite Penn experience?

Definitely anytime my team sits together and has meals. We have a Thanksgiving potluck and a Super Bowl potluck that we do every year. One of the girls, Lucy Yang, cooks Korean BBQ for us occasionally, so it is really fun. Also, Hill [House] brunches after Saturday practices. Just anytime there is food and friends, it is a good time.

3. When did you start playing softball?

I started playing when I was 5 years old, so I do not have a lot of memories from that time, but that is what my parents tell me.

4. What is your favorite memory from softball?

I would say the day I committed to Penn. There was so much work and sacrifice that went into the recruiting process — and just playing softball for that many years — and my academics all came into fruition. It is the best result that I could have possibly had.

5. How would you describe the team’s dynamic in a few words?

Definitely the closest team in the Ivy League. We want to hang out with each other on and off the field. [It's] a super tight-knit group of girls.

6. Do you have a hype song?

Right now, our team is listening to "Head & Heart" on repeat. That may not be the answer in a week, but that is it right now.

7. What is your favorite thing to do around Philadelphia?

Definitely going to the dog park and wishing my landlord would let me have a dog. I also like going into Center City. I went to the farmers' market last weekend and that was fun — just walking around and enjoying the city in general.

8. What is the best class you have taken at Penn?

For me, REAL 209 because I did not know at all that I was interested in real estate and was just going to count it towards my finance concentration, and then I found a whole new area I was interested in and wanted to base my career off of that.

9. What is one thing on your bucket list?

I really want to go on "The Amazing Race" with my dad when I graduate. He was a Division I athlete, and our thing would be two D-I athletes as our team name.

10. What is a hot take you possess?

I like queso, but I do not like cheese. Only melted cheese is good.

11. What has been your favorite position to play in softball?

I would say third [base] because I am able to talk to the pitchers more often. When you are a catcher, you have to call time to go talk to the pitcher. So at third, you can walk over and have a side conversation that definitely helps loosen up the game when you can crack a joke and not call an official time out. 

12. What is your favorite MLB team?

The Astros, which used to be a very simple answer, but it now comes with a lot of heat, but I am standing by that.

13. If you could have a superpower, which would you choose?

I would say reading people’s minds comes with a lot of dangerous territory, but I already try to do that anyway, so it would be helpful to have the answers.

14. Do you have a post-game ritual?

I go get ice, for sure, because I am unfortunately getting old. We usually come back to the house and have meals. A couple parents have brought us dinner, which is super awesome and amazing. We chill and go over the game together, which was hopefully a win, but honestly the conversation is sometimes even funnier when we lose.

15. What is the best feeling when playing?

The best feeling is when you're in the dugout, and when you are just on an absolute tear through the other pitcher, and we're crushing every ball, and the dugout is going crazy with cheers, and you feel all your teammates' energy around you. That is definitely one of the best moments.